ON COMMONALITY: MENTAL CLARIFICATION – HOW TO BREATHE IN A DIVIDED SOCIETY?

Uncertainty, insecurity, violence, information overload, societal divisions, fear among colleagues and acquaintances, accumulated anger, and a sense of injustice—but also hope on the streets. How can we, individually and collectively, preserve mental health in such times? How do we deal with feelings of responsibility, fear, anger, and the need to act?

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We will discuss the mental challenges posed by the current socio-political situation, student blockades, and societal polarization, as well as responsibility and civic duty, on Wednesday, February 5, at 6:00 PM, at the Klara and Rosa space (Petefi Šandora 15, Subotica).

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The participants of the panel are: M.A. Borjana Gavrilov Bolić, professor of Serbian language and literature Dr. Arpad Pap, ethnologist-anthropologist Jasmina Knežević, psychologist Sandra Vojnić Purčar, student at the Faculty of Economics in Subotica

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The discussion will be moderated by Elena Čavlin, associate at the Youth Program of the Klara and Rosa Association.

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Civil society, democracy, law, and order are not foreign concepts—they are the foundation of any society that seeks stability, justice, and development. Can they be a part of Serbian society? The success of student blockades, as well as any struggle for a fairer society, depends on the persistence, courage, and engagement of all of us. Democracy doesn’t come from the top down—it is built from the bottom up: through insisting on responsibility, through a culture of disagreement without hate, through small but consistent changes in everyday life.

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Klara and Rosa continue their series of public discussions titled “On Commonality,” aimed at education, initiating dialogue, exchanging ideas, listening, and collective reflection. Through this program, we aim to strengthen the sense of community, critically reflect, and share experiences, ideas, and practices, initiating discussions on various topics and issues present in our society and city.

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This event is part of the "Together for an Active Civil Society – ACT" project, supported by the Government of Switzerland and implemented by Helvetas Serbia and Civic Initiatives. ACT aims to build an active civil society where citizens play a greater role in decision-making processes, especially at the local level.

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